Employers Urge Ottawa to Tighten Strike Rules
Get the Finance newsletter
Daily finance — markets, central banks, M&A, the prints that move money. Free.
- Canadian National Railway Co. is among major employers lobbying Ottawa to amend the Canada Labour Code to make striking more difficult, arguing that recent stoppages damage Canada’s credibility as a trading partner.
- Railway Association of Canada submitted a public December request to “modernize” the Canada Labour Code, proposing a special mediator and a suspension of lockouts and strikes during mediation.
- Employment and Social Development Canada released a consultation document on April 17 outlining proposed changes to the Canada Labour Code and opened a feedback period that ends May 25.
- FETCO (Federally Regulated Employers for Transportation and Communications) is calling for new language in the Canada Labour Code that would permit government intervention or an alternative dispute mechanism to end strikes that disrupt critical supply chains, and for a special mediator.
- UN top court ruled that the right to strike is protected by a labour treaty, reinforcing unions’ legal standing.
Why it matters: Employers could secure tighter strike rules, while unions risk reduced bargaining power; the consultation ends May 25, and any code changes may impact the billions of dollars in trade moving through ports, rail and airlines.
